Japan Marks - Ya & Yago Symbol

Japan Marks - Ya (roof) - Yago (八) Symbol

YA (ROOF) - YAGO (八) SYMBOL

Yago is a term applied in traditional Japanese culture to names passed down within a guild, studio, or other circumstance other than blood relations. The character (谷) has two meanings: TANI and YA. For example, (亜谷) is A-YA and (谷田) is YA-TA or (九谷) is KU-TANI. According to Georges Bouvier at www.gbouvier.com , the character (八) is a YAGO mark related to Kutani kilns.


Patten Nippon backstamp #97	Patten Nippon backstamp #263-1	Nippon backstamp #263-2
The character under the YA-YAGO is the kana character (千) SEN means 1,000.

The YA-YAGO (八) resembles the roof of a house or temple monastary and can be seen in the TANI (谷) character for Ku-tani (九谷). The YA-YAGO (八) character symbol can be seen in Patten Nippon backstamps #s 28, 60, 97 & 263, and I found a Nippon backstamp not noted in her books and I am numbering it here as #263-2 because it is the same maker as #263 but a later backstamp. Notice how the YA-YAGO (八) character in #97 is open on the top portion, like an open split roof. Later, in backstamps # 263-1 & 263-2 by the same maker, the opening was closed to form a closed roof. The character under the YA-YAGO is the kana character (千) SEN means 1,000.

closeup cropped version of ad

Patten Nippon backstamp #96
S. & K. within IGETA (diamond)

1918 ad for Saji & Kariya Co. (S & K)
click to open pdf

Saji & Kariya Co.
[佐地苅谷商]

佐地 Saji
苅谷 Kariya
商 Co, company

It may possibly be that the maker of Nippon backstamp #s 97, 263-1 & 263-2 is the same maker for backstamp # 96. I recently found a 1918 advertisement for S. & K., who are Saji & Kariya Co., with their trademark S & K within IGETA (diamond). Notice the name Kari-ya is formed by the character (谷) and pronounced YA and not TANI.

YA-YAGO(八)-IGETA SYMBOL

It is quite possilble the origination of the "Nippon IGETA (diamond)" (see Patten Nippon backstamps #96, 110, 119, 152, 153, 154, 155, 163, 167, 198, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 237, 238, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 290) backstamps are derived from the YA-YAGO (八) character. This is especially evident in Patten Nippon backstamps #97 showing an open roof to transitioned backstamp #263-1 & 263-2 having a closed roof. Also if backstamp #96 is the same maker, the closed roof transformed into IGETA (diamond). This transition from open roof to IGETA (diamond) can be seen in the impressed MADE IN JAPAN backstamp shown below. At first glance, you see the diamond (♦) symbol but upon closer examination it is actually a YA-YAGO (八) character forming IGETA (diamond). The kana character under the YA-YAGO is (ア) A.

It is also possible that certain makers whose trademarks have the "Nippon IGETA (diamond)" backstamp are related to Kutani kilns. It may be that relationship was one in which Kutani artists were contracted for painting porcelain wares not originating from Kutani kilns.

YA-YAGO-IGETA

八ア A 1921-1930s MADE IN JAPAN red stamp mark

八ア A 1921-1930s MADE IN JAPAN

八ア A within IGETA (diamond)	1921-1930s MADE IN JAPAN impressed mark Found on 12" white gilded sleeping cat

八ア A 1921-1930s MADE IN JAPAN impressed mark

TRADE MARK MADE IN JAPAN GENUINE KUTANI Kutani 九谷八二 Hi Gold label (FUJITA)	Pair of swans

HAND PAINTED 八光 KO JAPAN

HAND PAINTED 八光 KO JAPAN

	ニ Hi MADE IN JAPAN FUJITA & Co. 藤田商会	Found on seiza cats

DAI NI-HON 大日本八さ SA MADE IN JAPAN Red stamp mark
DAI NI-HON 大日本八さ SA MADE IN JAPAN Red stamp mark

Made in Japan 八シ Si or Shi (Kana character) incised mark	Found on Figural Pekingese Saki Decanter and Cup Set

Moriyama Wreath Hand Painted Japan 八シ Si or Shi black stamp mark	Found on sleeping cat that has the same sleeping cat form marked Hotta Yu Shoten. It is unknown how these two makers are related. The cat also had the 1933 World's Fair Century of Progress label.		1933 World's Fair Century of Progress label with MM red stamp mark

Moriyama Wreath Hand Painted Japan 八シ Si or Shi black stamp mark	Note: It is unknown how Moriyama is related to Kutani kilns. Another mystery...

Moriyama MM MADE IN JAPAN	Note: It is unknown how Moriyama is related to Kutani kilns. Another mystery...

Hand Painted 八 S 千 K NIPPON	千 Sen

Hand Painted 八 S 千 K MADE IN NIPPON	千 Sen

Hand Painted 八 S 千 K MADE IN NIPPON	千 Sen

(Hand Painted 八 S & K NIPPON (tentative)

You can email Waiapo at

Webmaster@waiapo.com

Disclaimer Notice: This website is soley intended for educational purposes ONLY, and not to be utilized as a means for commercial valuation. This website is under constant revision as new information becomes available that may affect information stated on website, and/or opinions made by the webmaster.

"WARNING: The images & text on this website is

©Copyright.All rights reserved.2003-2011.Waiapo.Hawaii.
Any use of text and/or images is prohibited under U.S. Copyright laws, domestic and foreign, and eBay rules and regulations regarding using text or images from another ebay member and it is considered an infringement upon my copyright."

I do not claim copyright for those images that already bear and hold copyright by their original owner.